CUHS mock trial team recognized
EL CENTRO – Most of the Central Union High School mock trial team was on campus Friday afternoon in their Sunday best as they accepted congratulations from Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella, for their performance in this year’s state finals.
CUHS finished seventh in the 40th annual California Mock Trial Finals, which were held virtually this year on March 18-21. The competition is sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation, a non-profit, non-partisan, community-based organization that describes itself as “dedicated to educating America’s young people about the importance of civic participation in a democratic society.”
The simplest explanation of mock trial is that students on a team assume various roles in presenting and arguing a case before a real judge. Some students are prosecuting attorneys; others are defenses attorneys, and still others are court reporters, sketch artists or witnesses. Team members are scored on their individual performances, and the team with the highest score wins, even if it doesn’t win the verdict in the case.
Central has a rich history in the state competition, having won it all in 1985-86 and 1997-98, and finishing second in 201415. It is the only Imperial Valley school ever to place either first or second in state.
This year, CUHS went undefeated in county competitions to earn its place in the finals, where the team went 2-1.
Spartan team member
Ali Hussain earned a J. Skelly Wright Constitutional Advocacy Award for his performance as a pre-trial attorney for the prosecution. The award is co-sponsored by the American Board of Trial Advocates Foundation.
Anna Vizcaino, who
has supervised the CUHS mock trial program for 11 years, was also recognized, earning the title of Adult Advocate of the Year.
The Spartans’ lead attorney, Sebastian Avila, just finished his fourth season of mock trial competition, including the most recent
two in a pandemic. The senior said his participation has helped him grow in confidence over the years.
Avila plans to attend University of California, Santa Barbara in the fall, where he will study political science. He said he ultimately hopes to earn
his law degree and become a civil rights attorney.
Central Union mock trial team roster
• Sebastian Avila
• Arianna Berazas
• Denisse Hernández
• German Herrero Jr.
• Ali Hussain
• Priscila Jimenez Corrales
• Ethan Kahler
• Savannah Kennedy
• Mariano Lopez
• Daniel Marquez
• Gracia Mendoza
• Andrea Moreno
• Oscar Santos
• Gitzelle Tellez